Julius Caesar Betrayal Quotes

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Ben Dillingham"

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Mr. Arena"
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English Period 2"
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20 October 2014"
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The Betrayal of Julius Caesar"

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“For there to be betrayal, there would have to be trust first” -Susan Collins (Finest

Quotes). In the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, one of the main themes is betrayal.
The meaning and significance of betrayal in the play is a breaking of trust by friends. In the play, this is done for both personal reasons and political reasons. The title character, Julius
Caesar, was a great Roman general who was idolized by the Roman people. After turning down the crown of Rome three times, Caesar agreed to become king. However, before he can take the crown, Caesar is betrayed by his closest friends, Cassius and Brutus,
after trusting them for many years. Cassius, who was jealous of Caesar, betrays his friendship with Brutus by convincing him that Caesar had too much power.
Brutus betrays his friendship with Caesar by believing what Cassius has told him about Caesar becoming a dictator and going through with the conspiracy to kill him. Brutus decided to stab Caesar in the back at the theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC. Brutus believed what he is did was for the best for the people of Rome. Julius Caesar died for Rome. "
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The betrayal of Julius Caesar by Cassius was both political and personal. It showed the

character of Cassius to be evil as he betrayed many people in the play. For personal reasons,
Cassius is jealous of Caesar and only wants to keep his wealth and lifestyle. For political reasons, Cassius wanted control of the Roman empire (Burch). He knew that Caesar was a good leader and that the people liked him. He tried to convince the people of Rome that Caesar was a dictator. He convinced Caesar’s good friend, Brutus, to be in on a conspiracy to kill him.

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He betrays Brutus by lying to him about letters Caesar sent him and feeling betrayed by Caesar after he saved him from almost drowning. He tells Brutus “this man has now become a god and
Cassius is a wretched creature and must bend his body” (Shakespeare 6). "
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The betrayal of Julius Caesar by his best friend Brutus was also for political and

personal reasons. Brutus, a Roman senator, loved Rome and was easily convinced by Cassius that Caesar was becoming a dictator. Brutus believed that Caesar was beginning to like the power of ruling Rome. His killing of Caesar was both political and personal at the same time.
He loved Caesar but he loved Rome more and felt he was saving Roman republic (ABC News).
Caesar had gotten word to be on the watch out for the Ides of March (March 15) because the conspires where moving up to get him. “Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!” (Shakespeare 77) were the last words Caesar spoke after he realized he was going to be stabbed and betrayed by
Brutus. Brutus realizes he made a mistake and ends up feeling guilty and committing suicide."
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Julius Caesar also accepted his betrayal for political and personal reasons. After

defeating Spain, Caesar is loved and idolized by the Roman people. He is offered the crown of
Rome, which he refuses three times before accepting. Caesar wanted to make Rome the most powerful country ever and wants to become the king. Cassius begins to think that Caesar’s ideas for Rome will affect his wealthy lifestyle and he conspires his murder. Caesar is warned of the Ides of March by the soothsayer and by his wife not to go to the senate, he still goes believing it is best for Rome and himself. Caesar is not afraid of death and does not think of himself a s a normal man. Caesar is betrayed by his friends as they come to get him to go to the Capital where they have daggers hidden for his assassination. Brutus is the friend who delivers the final stab which kills Caesar. Even after his death, Caesar’s spirit comes to Brutus and Brutus commits suicide to quiet him."
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In these ways the theme of betrayal is shown in the play Julius Caesar. Betrayal for

political and personal reasons against Caesar is done by both Cassius and Brutus in their

Dillingham 3 conspiracy to kill him. The words “et tu Brute?” (Shakespeare 77) spoken by Caesar show the ultimate betrayal by a friend Caesar considered like a son. Betrayal for any reason is a difficult and hurtful thing to live through. Betrayal for political reasons makes one think of corruption and dishonesty. Betrayal for personal reasons may be even harder to deal with because is is usually committed by a friend that is trusted. The last words spoken by Caesar are still used to day when someone feels that they have been wronged by a friend. "

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Works Cited"

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“Betrayal Quotes. “ finestquotes.com. Web. 9 October 2014."
Burch, Jessica. “Greek Philosopher Notes.” World History. Aliso Niguel High School, Aliso "
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Viejo, CA. 11 September 2014. Class Notes."

“History’s Most Infamous Betrayers.” ABC News. Web. 24 September 2014."
Shakespeare, William. Julius Casear. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, Inc., 1997. Print.